Luxe livingMacau, China

For a city that's often touted as the 'Las Vegas of Asia', it's no surprise that Macau is jam packed with luxurious and glitzy hotels. Like it's American namesake, you'll even find hotels with names like The Venetian. complete with gondola-filled waterways, and The Parisian where a replica of the Eiffel Tower lights up like a Christmas tree every evening in a spectacular light show.

From the long established hotels around the Macau peninsula to the ritzy neon-lit hotels and resorts on the reclaimed land known as the Cotai area, Macau has enough gold, marble and chandeliers to sink a whole fleet of ships. New resorts springing up offer some serious opulence.

The Galaxy Precinct is a destination in itself. Built at a cost of around US$5.5 billion, it incorporates six world-class hotels (including the all-suite Ritz Carlton), 120 restaurants (eight of them Michelin rated), 200 designer stores and a skytop adventure park. Here you can spend days riding the world’s longest skytop aquatic adventure ride and exploring beach lagoons, rapids, geysers, waterfalls, tropical gardens, waterslides and wave pool.

Developers splashed another $2 billion to create Studio City, a hotel and casino resort with a cinematic theme, and incorporating television and film production facilities. Opened in 2015, its design was inspired by two asteroids shooting through a Gotham City-style building, and the Batman Dark Flight flying theatre attraction is not to be missed.

Style and decor varies with each resort so if you prefer something a little more understated you should still find something to suit.

get there

Fly Cathay Pacific, Virgin Australia or Qantas to Hong Kong with connecting TurboJetSea Express swift ferry service from either HKIA or from Hong Island or Kowloon to Macao (takes 1hr). Alternatively, shuttle bus across the new over-the-sea bridge linking Hong Kong with Macao (around 35 minutes).

Also, fly via other Asian hubs into Macao International Airport (eg Xiamen Airlines via Xiamen from Sydney or Melbourne). Integrated Macao resorts and hotels offer free shuttle services from Macao or Taipa ferry terminals as well as Macao International Airport.

amenities

• Everything you ever dreamed of and more

price guide

While you can easily get a decent room for around US$50 in Macau, splashing out around US$180-300 will give you an other-worldly experience.

difficulty

Kick back and enjoy the luxury

contact

Here are just a few of many options:

The Galaxy Resort

Studio City

The Ritz Carlton

 

www.visitmacao.com.au or www.macaotourism.gov.mo

Mandarin Oriental

Grand Lisboa

The Venetian

Wynn Palace

need to know

Rates are generally lower midweek and it’s less busy. Avoid travelling during Chinese holiday season if you don’t want to be inundated with crowds.

This tip was provided by Macao Government Tourism Office but we’re sharing it with you because we think it’s great.